Travelling is fun – in fact, it’s more than just fun. But getting from A to B can sometimes be quite stressful. Whether you’re travelling around the Netherlands, going on a city break in Europe or heading to a faraway destination, finding reliable transport is a key part of your trip. Especially when you arrive in an unfamiliar city or after a long flight, you’ll want to get to your accommodation as quickly as possible. Fortunately, these days there are more and more ways to book a taxi easily and safely, wherever you are in the world. In this blog, you’ll find out what to look out for and how to set off well prepared.
Travelling means freedom, but it is precisely upon arrival at a new destination that transport can cause unexpected stress. Many travellers therefore find out in advance how to arrange a taxi abroad, how much an airport transfer costs and whether it is safe to use local transport. By sorting this out before you set off, you can avoid any confusion when you’re tired, have luggage with you and want to get to your accommodation quickly. A few minutes’ preparation can make all the difference between a chaotic start and a relaxed beginning to your trip.
How we arrange taxis when travelling (and why we almost always do this in advance)
When planning a trip, we don’t just look at the flight or accommodation, but also at something that’s often underestimated: how do we get from A to B once we arrive? It’s precisely that moment – after a long journey, with luggage, in an unfamiliar country – that often determines how your trip begins. The reason we often say that ‘it’ll all be fine’ is mainly because we organise everything properly in advance — not because we’re always completely go with the flow travel.
In many countries, a taxi is the most practical solution as soon as you arrive. Not because it’s always the cheapest option, but because it offers certainty and convenience. You don’t have to lug heavy luggage around, work out routes or wait for public transport. You simply get in and are taken straight to your destination. Especially if you know in advance which taxis are reliable and how to book them. That’s why we often arrange a taxi for your arrival through our accommodation providers.
But even in the Netherlands, it’s a good idea to think about this in advance. With trains running less frequently or sometimes being cancelled, it can be handy to have a taxi to Amsterdam to take when you land at Schiphol or are travelling there. By checking these options in advance, you’ll know what to expect and avoid unnecessary stress on arrival.
Tip: have a look at our blogs on various destinations. In these posts, we always share how we get from A to B ourselves and which apps come in handy for that.
Every country has its own taxi system
What many travellers forget is that taxis don’t work the same way everywhere. The concept is similar, but the way it’s carried out differs. In one country, you arrange everything via an app; in another, you do so through your hotel or at a fixed taxi rank. That’s why, in our blogs, we share the best way to travel from A to B for each destination. We believe this is one of the most important aspects of planning your own trip. This is also precisely why people sometimes end up arranging everything through a travel agency. That’s fine, of course, but believe us: organising everything yourself is well worth it. Not just in terms of cost, but also in terms of flexibility and freedom.
Fortunately, in most countries these days, many taxi services operate via apps. These make it easy to book a taxi, often see the price in advance and sometimes even track the route in real time. This makes travelling much more straightforward and a lot more relaxed, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.
As well as differences in apps and systems, the way in which taxis are priced also varies. In some countries, there’s a fixed price from the airport, whilst in others a meter is used or haggling is the norm. If you’re not aware of this, you could easily end up paying too much. That’s why it’s a good idea to check what’s customary at your destination before you set off. A quick search or a tip from your accommodation will help you avoid any surprises and give you more confidence on arrival.
How we often arrange taxis
One of the most hassle-free ways to book a taxi is via an app or, if you don’t have immediate access to the internet, through your accommodation. Hotels, guesthouses and even smaller places to stay usually work with regular drivers or local taxi companies. This has a few major advantages:
- You’ll be picked up at an agreed meeting point (they’re often waiting there with a name badge)
- the price is known in advance (do always ask for this explicitly)
- The driver knows where you need to go
- you’ll be dealing with a company that regularly works with travellers
We particularly appreciate this after a long flight. You step outside, someone is there waiting for you, and you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Tip: if you’re going to use an app, make sure you download it before you set off. Not every airport has reliable Wi-Fi straight away. It can also be handy to buy a local SIM card or arrange an e-SIM via, for example, Airalo or Saily.
Always check the reliability
A common mistake when booking a taxi is failing to check the reliability of the service. This can lead to unpleasant situations, particularly when abroad, such as unclear prices or unauthorised taxis. You should therefore opt for a well-known taxi service or a platform with clear information and good reviews. This not only gives you greater peace of mind, but also ensures a more pleasant start or end to your journey.
Are you still unsure when you arrive? Then look out for the official identifying features. In many countries, reputable taxis have a licence, company logo or registration number clearly displayed inside the vehicle. Airports often have designated taxi ranks with regulated fares. Avoid drivers who actively approach you in arrival halls without clear identification. Not because everything is unsafe, but because, as a traveller, you simply want to minimise the risks when you’ve just arrived.
Taxi services for airport transfers
Taxis aren’t just a handy option when travelling abroad. Here in the Netherlands, too, we sometimes make a conscious choice to take one. Particularly for late-evening or night-time flights, or at times when trains are no longer running. We live about 40 minutes from Schiphol ourselves, but we still take this into account. Precisely because public transport isn’t always a given, especially outside regular hours.
So… if you’re travelling to or from the airport, it might be handy to get a taxi to Schiphol to arrange. This is ideal for early flights or late arrivals when public transport isn’t available, or when you’re travelling with a lot of luggage. What’s more, you can easily book a taxi in advance, so you don’t have to wait.
Our top tip: sort this out before you travel
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s this: arrange your transport before you arrive at your destination or, if you’re travelling within the Netherlands, before you set off. We can’t stress this tip enough.
By sorting this out in advance, you’ll avoid any confusion, steer clear of unreliable providers and simply make the start of your trip a lot more relaxed. Just like planning routes, accommodation and places of interest, transport is simply part of the process.
Read also: N26, Wise or Revolut: Which is best for travelling and paying abroad?
Read also: 20x Mini games for travelling: compact travel games & gift ideas
Transport may not be the most exciting part of a trip, but it does have a big impact on how relaxed you are when you arrive. By checking in advance how taxis work at each destination, you can avoid uncertainty at times when you really don’t want to deal with it. Whether you choose a taxi arranged through your accommodation, a well-known app or a pre-booked ride: a bit of preparation makes all the difference. Do you have any questions? Send us a message at Instagram or mail to info@thousandtravelmiles.nl.
We try to keep this blog on ’organising a taxi whilst travelling’ as up to date as possible, but we can’t do this without your help. If anything has changed, please let us know via info@thousandtravelmiles.nl.
Some of the links in this blog post about ’organising a taxi whilst travelling’ are sponsored or affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase via these links, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these affiliate links, you’re supporting Thousandtravelmiles. This enables us to travel the world, fund the website and offer you free information to help you plan your trip. It means that a ‘real’ person does a little happy dance whenever you make a purchase via this link! You’re a legend!
